Bag Accessories That Make Any Handbag Look Expensive: Twillies, Charms, Tassels, and Brooches

The easiest upgrade in fashion isn't a new bag. It's what you put on the one you already own.

SHOP Every Piece and More Below

A twilly scarf wrapped around a handle. A mini bag charm dangling from a strap. A leather tassel clipped to a zipper pull. A brooch pinned to a lapel pocket. These are the details that take a bag from "nice" to "where did you get that?" — and they cost a fraction of what a new bag would.

Bag accessories are having a major moment right now, and it's not hard to see why. They let you customize, refresh, and personalize bags you already love without buying something new. Got a plain black tote that needs some life? A twilly and a charm fix that in thirty seconds. Want your straw beach bag to feel more polished? A brooch and a tassel do the job instantly.

This is the complete guide to every type of bag accessory worth owning — what they are, how to style them, and which ones work best on which bags. Plus, every piece is shoppable right here.

Twilly Scarves: The Handle Upgrade

If you've ever seen a Birkin or Kelly bag with a colorful scarf wrapped around the handle and thought "that looks expensive" — that's a twilly. And you don't need a designer bag to pull off the look.

A twilly scarf is a long, narrow scarf (ours are 37 inches long and 2 inches wide) designed to be wrapped, tied, or looped around bag handles. They add instant color, pattern, and texture to any bag — and they also protect leather handles from the oils on your hands, which is actually why Hermès started selling them in the first place.

SHOP Luxe Print Twilly Scarves — $32

Our luxe print twillies come in three bold colorways — Pink + Navy, Red + Navy, and Pink + Green — and the prints are graphic, vibrant, and designed to pop against any bag material. They're 100% poly, which means they won't wrinkle in your bag, hold their color beautifully, and are easy to care for.

How to Tie a Twilly on Your Bag

The Classic Wrap: Fold the twilly in half lengthwise, loop it around the base of one handle, and wind it up toward the top. Tuck the end under or let it trail for movement. This is the look you see on designer bags everywhere.

The Simple Bow: Tie a bow around one handle for a polished, feminine finish. Works especially well on crossbody bags and small structured bags.

The Double Handle: Use two twillies — one on each handle — in the same print for a matched set or in contrasting prints for a more eclectic look.

The Loose Knot: Simply knot the twilly once around a handle and let both ends hang loose. Casual, effortless, and easy to switch out.

Best Bags for Twillies

Twillies work on virtually any bag with handles — structured totes, crossbodies, bucket bags, straw bags, and even backpack straps. They look especially striking on solid-colored bags in tan, black, white, navy, and straw, where the bold print creates maximum contrast. If you're carrying one of our embellished tote bags or a rattan bag, a twilly adds even more visual interest.

Bag Charms: The Personality Piece

A bag charm is the accessory that makes your bag feel like yours. It's the thing that catches someone's eye from across the room and gives your bag a point of view. And unlike jewelry, there's no sizing to worry about — any charm works on any bag.

SHOP Bag Charms and Tassels Collection — $22 to $42

Mini Bag Charms

These tiny structured bags are the charm that fashion editors and designer bag collectors have been obsessing over. Ours come in pink and cognac brown, feature gold turn-lock hardware, and attach via a colorful twilly scarf loop — so you're essentially getting two accessories in one.

SHOP Pink Mini Bag Charm — $42

The pink mini bag charm adds instant playfulness to neutral bags. The cognac brown version is the more versatile pick — it blends beautifully with tan, black, navy, and cream bags while still being a statement. At 3.5 inches long and 4 inches tall, they're substantial enough to notice but never overwhelming.

SHOP Brown Mini Bag Charm — $42

Cherry Charm

Two glossy red acrylic cherries on a gold clip — fun, flirty, and impossible not to smile at. The cherry charm is for the woman who wants her bag to have a sense of humor. Fruit charms are trending hard right now, and cherries are leading the pack. At $24, it's also the easiest add-on gift in the store.

SHOP Cherry Charm — $24

Leather Tassels: The Texture Play

Tassels add something that no other bag accessory can — movement. When you walk, the tassel swings. When your bag sits on a table, the tassel drapes. It softens the lines of structured bags and adds visual interest to simple silhouettes.

Our leather tassels come in white and navy, with a gold clip that attaches to handles, D-rings, and zipper pulls in seconds. The white tassel is fresh, clean, and especially stunning on tan, straw, and pastel bags for spring and summer. The navy tassel is the year-round workhorse — it goes with literally everything and reads polished without trying.

SHOP Leather Tassels — $22 each (White or Navy)

At $22, leather tassels are the most affordable bag accessory in this guide — and they make one of the best small gifts. They also double as keychains, which means they're practical beyond just being pretty.

Bag Brooches: The Unexpected Accessory

Here's the styling trick that most people haven't caught onto yet: brooches look amazing on bags. Pin one to a lapel pocket, a structured flap, or even directly onto the canvas of a tote bag, and you've just added a one-of-a-kind detail that no one else has.

The key is choosing brooches that are lightweight enough not to pull or damage the fabric and small enough to look intentional rather than overwhelming. These are our favorites for bag styling:

SHOP Gold Candy Wrapper Brooch — $28

Small, lightweight, and playful. The candy wrapper shape is whimsical without being over the top, and the gold tone works on every bag color. At $28, it's the most affordable way to add a brooch to your bag rotation. Pin it on a straw tote for beach days or a structured crossbody for everyday fun.

SHOP Gold Cherub Angels Red Heart Brooch — $34

The red heart on this brooch picks up the reds in the Red + Navy twilly perfectly — which makes them a natural pairing on the same bag. The gold cherub angels add a romantic, vintage feel that reads more heirloom than costume. Pin it on a black crossbody or a tan tote and the red heart becomes an instant focal point.

SHOP Vintage-Style Airplane Enamel Brooch — $34

This one screams travel — pin it on your carry-on tote or weekender bag and it becomes a conversation piece at every airport. The red, white, and enamel detail reads retro and fun. It's also perfect on a denim jacket pocket if your bag already has enough going on.

SHOP Pearl Crystal Poodle Dog Brooch — $38

The poodle is a classic — Parisian, playful, and polished all at once. The pearl and crystal detail catches light beautifully, and the size is perfect for bag styling without adding noticeable weight. Pin it on a black bag for instant French girl energy, or on a tweed bag or clutch for full Chanel-inspired vibes.

SHOP Dapper Dachshund Top Hat Brooch — $42

A dachshund in a top hat. On your bag. Nobody sees this and doesn't smile — it's the brooch that starts conversations at coffee shops, farmers markets, and airport gates. The acrylic construction keeps it featherlight, so it won't pull on any fabric. Pin it on a canvas tote, a crossbody, or a straw bag and watch people light up. If you're a dog person, this one's non-negotiable.

SHOP Green Enamel Bicycle Brooch — $44

The bicycle brooch is pure charm. Pin it on a canvas tote, a market bag, or a crossbody and it adds instant character. The green enamel pops against neutral bags, and the bicycle shape is universally appealing — it reads happy and carefree without being childish.

For a deeper dive into styling brooches on bags, check out our complete guide: Bag Brooches Are Replacing Bag Charms — How to Style Them. And if you want to explore the full brooch collection beyond just bag-friendly picks, The Best Brooches at Every Price: 30 Statement Pins from $28 to $158 has everything.

How to Mix and Match Bag Accessories

The real magic happens when you combine two or three types together. Here are some combinations that work beautifully:

Twilly + Mini Bag Charm: Wrap a twilly around one handle and tie the mini bag charm on the other. This is the full designer-bag-accessories look — it reads collected, curated, and expensive.

Leather Tassel + Brooch: Clip a navy tassel on the handle and pin a brooch on the bag body. The tassel adds movement while the brooch adds a focal point. Two different textures, one cohesive look.

Cherry Charm + Leather Tassel: Clip both onto the same handle or D-ring for a layered charm look. The red cherries and the leather tassel play off each other beautifully — fun meets classic.

Twilly + Brooch: Wrap the handle and pin a brooch on the bag. This combination works especially well on rattan bags and canvas totes where the bag itself is neutral and the accessories tell the story.

All Three: Twilly on the handle, charm on the strap, brooch on the body. Maximum personality. This works best on larger totes and structured bags that have enough surface area to carry the accessories without looking crowded.

Best Bags for Accessorizing

Some bags are practically made for accessories. Here's what to look for:

Structured totes — The flat surfaces and sturdy handles are perfect for twillies and charms. A structured tote with a twilly and a brooch looks like a $500 bag regardless of what it actually cost.

Straw and rattan bags — The natural texture creates a beautiful contrast with gold hardware, colorful twillies, and enamel brooches. Our rattan bags are built for this.

Canvas totes — The casual material means accessories feel intentional rather than overdone. Pin a brooch, clip a tassel, and your canvas tote just became a fashion piece.

Crossbody bags — The strap is perfect for tying on a mini bag charm or clipping a tassel. A crossbody with one dangling charm looks effortlessly cool.

Clutches — A single brooch pinned to a clutch transforms it for an evening out. Less is more here — one brooch, no other accessories needed.

For more bag inspiration, check out our guides to embellished tote bags, tweed bags and clutches, and beach bags that go from day to night.

The Gift Angle: Bag Accessories as Gifts

Bag accessories are some of the safest, most universally loved gifts you can give. No sizing. No style risk. Every woman has a bag, and every bag can use an upgrade. Here's how to gift them:

Under $25: A leather tassel ($22) or cherry charm ($24) makes a perfect stocking stuffer, teacher gift, or "just because" surprise.

Under $35: A twilly scarf ($32) or the candy wrapper brooch ($28) is a thoughtful standalone gift that feels curated and personal.

Under $50: A mini bag charm ($42) or the poodle brooch ($38) feels like a significant gift — especially when wrapped nicely.

Bundle It: A twilly + a leather tassel ($54 total) or a mini bag charm + a twilly ($74 total) makes a bag accessories gift set that looks like you spent way more than you did. If you want something already curated and boxed, our Surprise Me JuJu gift boxes are another option.

Bag Accessories by Season

Spring/Summer: White leather tassel, pink + green twilly, cherry charm, poodle brooch, bicycle brooch, dachshund brooch. Fresh colors, lightweight pieces, and playful energy that matches warm-weather bags.

Fall/Winter: Navy leather tassel, red + navy twilly, brown mini bag charm, cherub angels heart brooch, candy wrapper brooch, airplane brooch. Rich tones, romantic vibes, and pieces that complement darker leather bags and structured silhouettes.

Year-Round: Pink + navy twilly, brown mini bag charm, poodle brooch. These three work in every season on virtually every bag.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best bag accessories for a plain black tote?
A colorful twilly scarf wrapped around one handle instantly breaks up the black. Add a gold brooch or the cherry charm for a pop of color and personality. The red + navy twilly and the poodle brooch are especially striking on black bags.

Will a brooch damage my bag?
On leather and structured bags, a lightweight brooch with a standard pin closure leaves only a tiny, virtually invisible hole. On delicate fabrics, clip the brooch onto a strap or D-ring instead. Our bag-friendly brooches are all lightweight enough to pin without pulling or stretching fabric.

Can I put bag accessories on a designer bag?
Absolutely — this is how designer bag collectors have been styling their bags for years. Twillies were literally invented for Hermès bags. Just use lightweight pieces and be gentle with pin-back brooches on delicate leather.

How many bag accessories is too many?
On a large tote or structured bag, two or three accessories look curated and intentional. On a small crossbody or clutch, one is usually enough. The goal is styled, not cluttered.

What's the most versatile bag accessory to start with?
A twilly scarf gives you the most impact for the least money. It transforms any bag handle instantly and can also be worn in your hair, around your wrist, or at your neck when it's not on your bag.

Are bag charms just for women?
Leather tassels and brooches work on messenger bags, briefcases, and backpacks too. The navy tassel and the airplane brooch are especially versatile across styles.

Can I switch bag accessories between different bags?
That's the whole point. Clip-on charms and tassels move in seconds. Twillies untie and retie easily. Brooches unpin and repin. Build a small collection and rotate them based on your bag, your outfit, or your mood.

What bag accessories make the best gifts?
Leather tassels ($22) and cherry charms ($24) are perfect small gifts. Twilly scarves ($32) are ideal for anyone with a bag. Mini bag charms ($42) feel like a substantial, thoughtful treat. Bundle a twilly with a charm or tassel for a curated gift set.

Where can I shop these bag accessories in person?
Select pieces in this guide are available at Maris DeHart boutique, 32 Vendue Range, Charleston, SC — right in the heart of the French Quarter. You can also shop everything online at jujuloves.com.

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